Sunday, March 18, 2012

The Anatomy of An Easter Table

Many of my readers have told me in the past that they like to read about my thinking process.

This post is going to take you along with me, during the process of how I come up with ideas for my Holiday tables, in this case an Easter table. Not my Easter table, but a table that anyone could use in their own family celebration.

We all need inspiration, and ideas from time to time. When it is for a special occasion like Easter it is always fun to do something new, and interesting.

Coming up with ideas is hard sometimes so I thought I would show you some specific ideas to create an Easter table.

This particular table is going to be a table that is done in a simple style using neutrals, and whites.

My tablescapes almost always start with a color in mind.

The first thing I will do is to look for images that incorporate the colors I have in mind for inspiration…….

I tend to like elements en masse. I need to keep this in mind when figuring out my centerpiece.

At this point: I am really leaning towards the white tulips for this particular table. I should check on the availability in case I need to order them. Once I find out the cost I will decide on the container size for obvious reasons.

Container

The container will have texture, like a basket, or wooden crate, or box. It could also be a clear vase, or white porcelain container?

At this point: I will take a survey of my own existing pieces.

I happen to have baskets, wooden box, clear vases and white porcelain pitchers and urns..

This is when you need to keep in mind your original vision… I am trying to create a simple, neutral looking table, so I think I will need to choose either a basket, wooden box, or white porcelain pitcher. I have all three so I am set!

LINENS

At this point: I need to also look at my tablecloths. I have white, and I have natural linen.

If I use a basket (dark brown), or a box (also in the brown family) I will need to use my white table cloth. I would choose white to keep the table looking fresh and more Spring like, not autumnal.

I will now keep both possibilities in mind as I look for further inspiration.

Bunny Motif

I will move onto motif since I decided I really liked the simple outline of the bunny motif in the second image above. I now start thinking of where I could add this in my over all scheme.

White egg cups with covers from Pottery Barn have the outline of a bunny. It is simple, and uncomplicated, just in keeping with the look I like.This could be a bit costly to have one for each person so this is out of the budget for this year.

I could get some of this darling fabric and have a tablecloth, or napkins made. I could also order 4 pillows to place on the chairs. One at the head of each end, and one in the middle of both sides. hmmmm? the wheels are starting to turn.

I like this idea, and placing it on linen is a great idea. I would use simple white frames, not an embellished frame because we are going for a neutral, simple design. To see the tutorial on how to do this go to Uncommondesignsonline.com they show a step by step process. Great tutorial!

This would also fill the bill for two of my elements, the bunny motif, and these could be used as simple place cards for my guest, and they could even take them home if they like.

Are you seeing how this design is about to unfold?

Next element to be addressed is:

Place Cards

In choosing a place card design we must keep in mind some of the other elements that will be used.

A small natural colored bag that would tie in with the linen color scheme. Write the persons name on it, and fill it with chocolate Easter eggs. Now, you have a placecard, and a little gift for your guest.

We will use a long rectangular basket (about 30in. long) like the one pictured above. Since tulips can be a bit pricey I have decided to use tulips mixed with wheat grass and white kale. Our tulips will be standing a bit taller than these.

Choice #1

To incorporate the bunny motif we will have two choices, one will be a concrete bunny from my yard.

He is perfect full of wear and tear and touches of moss.

The other option would be a chocolate bunny mold. If I used the mold I would then use a natural brown colored basket instead of a white basket to balance the heavy look of the mold.

We will be using small cards just like the above image but we will be stenciling a white bunny silhouette and will be writing the persons name on it. This cute card along with the white napkin will be placed folded lengthwise, and placed vertically across the middle of each persons plate.

17 comments:

I am in awe. You know how I do my tables? Start throwing stuff on, remove, replace, rearrange, until it looks right. I swear, I have never planned this much, and it shows! I like my tables, but yours are AMAZING. Just goes to show that planning pays off. I'd never do a room like I do a table (can you imagine?) so I don't know why I don't plan more. I learned a lot from this wonderful post!Stacy

WOW! Like Stacy I am in total awe.....so impressive. This is the best Easter related post I have ever seen. LOVE the all white and all the beautiful and sophisticated ideas for an elegant Easter table. You have inspired me to start thinking...and I have a lot of work to do. GREAT JOB KATHYSUE!

boatloads of inspiration here. i can say i actually wish i was entertaining this easter.this thought provoking tutorial takes us through your easter table but the process will be invaluable for entertaining in generalthank you kathysue!xodebra

Lovely ideas and I enjoyed reading about your process. I'd never thought of it as a process as such, because I go through the same steps but it's always kind of subconscious and just happens. Interesting to see it dissected like this. Beautiful images and lovely inspiration.

This blog is content amazing information about Easter decoration which is very useful for me. It very important information about Easter festival.Thank you very much for this great information.Easter Table Decoration

I love how you break down the process! I've just started thinking about my Easter table. I have some definite ideas if we're hosting the whole crew again this year(I have a new yellow cloth that's begging to be used,) but my numbers are still up in the air. I'm not sure what the table will look like if it's just the four of us. I love your design direction and look forward to seeing it come together.

So many wonderful and inspiring ideas! Tomorrow I'll be preparing our to decorate our table for easter and those cute little bunnies will be listed as part of my tablescape. Thanks for sharing this wonderful thoughts!